# Regulation of memory T cell trafficking by core 2 O-glycan synthesis

> **NIH NIH R01** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $75,212

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Antigen-experienced memory T cells constitute a diverse, heterogeneous population of immune cells that is
generated throughout life in response to a variety of pathogens, vaccines, allergens, self-antigens and other
environment factors. In fact, as we age, generation of new naïve T cells diminishes and memory T cell
populations dominate the repertoire. Thus, the basic mechanisms that regulate the functions of diverse
memory T cell populations has broad relevance for a variety of diseases and pathological conditions including
vaccine designs, immunotherapy protocols and treatment or prevention of inflammatory or autoimmune
disorders. Although the formation and differentiation of memory CD8+ and CD4+ T cells in the circulation has
been extensively characterized, the capacity for memory T cells to actively home to and infiltrate tissues where
they exhibit their effector functions is less understood. We have recently discovered that memory CD8+ T cells
require post-translational O-linked glycosylation of selectin ligands for trafficking to and infiltrating non-
lymphoid tissues. Furthermore, we identified that de novo synthesis of core 2 O-glycans is restricted to
memory T cells and can be regulated in an antigen-independent manner. However, the basic molecular
mechanisms regulating core 2 O-glycan synthesis and trafficking of memory CD8+ and CD4+ T cells during
infections are yet to be fully characterized. Specifically, we will 1) determine if different CD8+ T cell populations
have the capacity to synthesize core 2 O-glycans and traffic into non-lymphoid tissues, 2) define the molecular
and transcriptional mechanisms that regulate core 2 O-glycan synthesis in memory CD8+ T cells, and 3)
determine if memory CD4+ T cells require core 2 O-glycan synthesis to traffic into non-lymphoid tissues during
either acute or chronic viral infections. Thus, the overall goal of our study will be to identify and characterize
the mechanisms regulating the trafficking of diverse memory T cell populations and how this can be enhanced
(for host protection) or inhibited (for allergies or autoimmunity).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10242550
- **Project number:** 3R01AI132404-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jeffrey C. Nolz
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $75,212
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-05-18 → 2021-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10242550

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10242550, Regulation of memory T cell trafficking by core 2 O-glycan synthesis (3R01AI132404-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10242550. Licensed CC0.

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